Indiana Prairie Farmer magazine wrote a recent story quoting a Franklin, Ind., precision farming consultant Greg Kneubuhler who says the next hot tool farmers want to invest in is row shut-offs for planters. He says a savings of 5 percent can be achieved, which can deliver a payback in two years. And in some cases, with irregular-shaped fields, payback can … Read More
Precision Agriculture At Beltwide Cotton Conference
Precision farming techniques and practices are taking center stage at this year’s Beltwide Cotton Conference in New Orleans, January 4-7, 2010. According to a report in Mid-South Farmer magazine, Bill Robertson of the National Cotton Council says Randy Taylor, Oklahoma State University will set the stage for the precision agriculture theme Tuesday morning at the general production conference with a … Read More
Precision Terrace Design Coming To Web
Designing field terraces will soon become easier thanks to a new Internet-based terrace design tool under development at the University of Missouri. Allen Thompson, Associate Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, says his computer-assisted tool can upload GPS-based topographical data to facilitate design and installation on complex fields. Another benefit, aside from cutting the terrace development process in half, is … Read More
Trimble Adds Modem To Enhance RTK Signal
If constant RTK connection is an issue in some of your fields, Trimble has a new Ag3000 modem solution that works with their AgGPS Autopilot system. It allows farmers to improve machine guidance in areas where RTK (Real Time Kinematic) signal towers won’t reach. Trimble designed the Ag3000 to easily interface with Trimble Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers, lightbars … Read More
Plant Tissue Sampling Aids Precision Fertility
Without in-season plant tissue testing to see if crops are nutrient deficient, you may be leaving yield in the field. Unseen nutrient deficiencies can stunt growth, harm plant health and limit yield. Tennessee Farmers Cooperative began working with A&L Labs this year to train co-ops on proper sampling, and some are adding this service to their precision agriculture programs, according … Read More
Precision Fertilizer Use Helping Shrink Hypoxia Zone
A good story that appeared recently in Wallaces Farmer magazine highlights farmer efforts to continually improve precision fertilizer application. In fact, it reports that the “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico has shrunk and that Nitrogen delivery has been reduced by 21 percent. The “hypoxia zone” in the Gulf of Mexico is significantly smaller this year than scientists predicted … Read More
Precision Farming Advances in Popular Science
Popular Science magazine did a nice job providing readers with a glimpse into the precision agriculture research that is needed to grow twice as much food by 2050. The writer talked about how this challenge is everyone’s problem, but scientists are hard at work fomenting a second green revolution. Here are the research projects that the magazine chose: 1. Sahara … Read More
Precision Farmers Cut Pesticide Use With Seed
While the anti-agriculture activists spout misinformed data about how genetically-modified grains have not boosted yields nor reduced use of fertilizer or chemicals–those of us living and breathing modern precision agriculture know the truth. In my hundreds and hundreds of interviews I’ve done over the years with progressive farmers (in stories that have appeared in Progressive Farmer, Farm Industry News and … Read More
Farmer Succeeds With Variable Rate Precision Tools
On variable soils, Indiana farmer Eric Wappel has found precision agriculture success by varying fertilizer and seeding rates, according to a recent story in Indiana Prairie Farmer magazine. “We use variable rate application to spread phosphorus, potassium and ag lime,” he notes. “What we put where depends upon soil sample results. Soil sampling comes first. We use hybrids, but also … Read More
Southern Growers Find Precision Farming Pays
Using GPS guidance and precise metering systems to cut P and K rates 40 to 50% while maintaining good yields is catching on in the south, according to a recent piece in Delta Farm Press magazine. Glenn and Rodney Mast who farm near Columbus, Miss., say precision farming technology is helping them achieve such efficiencies. “When you put the fertilizer into … Read More